Nov 22, 2011

Weekly Muppet Wednesdays: Walter

THE MUPPETS HAVE NOW INVADED UNITED STATES THEATERS!!!

The Muppets are now here and there is NO stopping them now! Muppet Domination has begun, and as we all know, once the Muppets start, they just don't stop. We couldn't think of any better way to celebrate than by showcasing new Muppet, Walter in a very special, very exciting Weekly Muppet Wednesday!!

Written by Ryan Dosier.

WALTER

Performed by...
Peter Linz

First appearance...The Muppets(2011), first seen in "Green With Envy" teaser trailer

Most recent appearance...Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

Best known role...
The world's biggest Muppet fan.

Famous quote...
"Your fans haven't left you, the world hasn't forgotten! Sure, it's impossible, but we have to try! It's time to play the music..."

WHO IS WALTER?Walter is one of the first new major Muppet characters in 15 years. Walter's first major role of any sort was playing himself in The Muppets (2011). In the movie, Walter plays the world's biggest Muppet fan and brother of Gary (Jason Segel). Walter started out life feeling like he didn't belong because he was small and... well, his other differences are a little fuzzy. When Walter first saw the Muppets watching an episode of The Muppet Show with his brother, he became elated in seeing people who were like him for the first time, and thus, Walter's love for the Muppets began.

Walter's life truly took a turn for the incredible when his brother Gary invited him to go to Los Angeles with he and his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) and visit The Muppet Studios and The Muppet Theater. While on the tour of the studio, Walter discovers the nefarious plan of oil baron Tex Richman, and runs away screaming (see right). Walter convinces Gary and Mary to help him find Kermit the Frog so he can save the studio and the theater from Richman's desire for "Oil, see, sweet, sweet oil!"

When Walter found Kermit's house, he was so desperate to get in to tell Kermit about Richman's plan, that he was ready to be thrown into an electric fence for his hero--twice. As Kermit returned home to find his three guests, all it took was one "Hi-ho" for Walter to completely pass out. A true Muppet fan if there ever was one.

Once he finds Kermit, and does a little fan-boy convincing, Walter embarks on the most incredible journey of his life, joining alongside Kermit to help reunite the rest of the Muppets and put on one big show to save the theater and the Muppets. In fact, it takes Walter's love and admiration to convince Gonzo to return to the stage where he belongs. After the Muppets were back together, Walter assisted in cleaning The Muppet Theater, acting as a sponge at then end of Fozzie Bear's broom handle.

With the theater cleaned and the show being planned, Kermit asks Walter if there's an act he would be able to perform on the show. Walter panics, telling Kermit that he doesn't have a talent--at least not a talent as great as the rest of the Muppets. Can Walter find his talent and help save The Muppet Studios and The Muppet Theater? Will he find where he truly belongs? Go see The Muppets today and find out for yourself!

WALTER AND PETER LINZWalter is the first major Muppet character performed by longtime puppeteer and Muppeteer Peter Linz. Peter, along with four additional performers, auditioned for the role of Walter early in the development stages of the movie. In a New York Times interview, Peter recounts the audition, "I did fine, but it was something of a nightmare from a puppeteer's standpoint. The guy who auditioned before me was a profuse sweater—I mean, just profuse—and so Walter was soaking wet and cold when I got him." This just goes to show that a little hard work and sweat (not necessarily yours) get you places in this industry. Peter has performed Walter for numerous promotional appearances and will continue to perform Walter when he (hopefully) returns for future Muppet projects.

WHY DO THE MUPPETS NEED WALTER?Walter is a wonderful addition to the already fantastic cast of Muppets because he represents an area of the Muppet world never before explored on screen: the Muppet fan. Walter is one of us. He's you and me... the only difference is, he's actually Muppet, and he's living the dream we all wish we could be living. But that's what makes Walter so great... we can live vicariously through him. This is why we relate to him so deeply in The Muppets, because we are Walter. All of us. We may as well just start calling Muppet fans "Walters" from now on. Walter is endearing, charming, adorable, and hilarious and I for one sincerely hope that he sticks around for a long time. The character that Peter Linz has brought to life is unbelievably delightful and impossible not to love, and I'm so glad that Walter was chosen to headline this new movie... because he's perfect.

But why do the Muppets need Walter, you ask? Because Walter reminds the Muppets of why they do what they do. Walter gives the Muppets hope that someone, somewhere loves their work and appreciates their talents. The Muppets need Walter for the exact same reason they need us: because he keeps them going. Walter reminds the Muppets why singing, and dancing, and making people happy is so noble. He reminds them why they should write their own endings. The Muppets need Walter because he needs them. It's a beautiful relationship based on love and amazement, and it plays out so perfectly in The Muppets that you will sincerely wonder if Walter was modeled after you.

Hey Ryan! Thanks for using my suggestion to call Muppet fans "Walters" from my earlier email. I knew Walter would be just like us die-hard Muppet fans before I even saw the film. Star Trek has Trekkers. Jimmy Buffett has Parrotheads. as for me? I'm a 'Walter'! (And proud of it!)

I love Walter so damn much! <3 He's literally just so cute, sweet and freaking amazing! Can't wait till it's released on DVD over here in the UK. I've been to the cinema to see it 6 times and that's not enough! LOVE YOU WALTER! <3 <3 <3

Walter was fine for that one movie. But I see no reason for him to be made a regular member of the main cast.

The Muppets series has often invented new Muppet characters to suit specific movies. But after "A Muppet Christmas Carol," the three Ghosts didn't randomly get shoehorned into "Muppet Treasure Island" because "hey, we introduced them, so they're officially Muppets now, right?" After "Muppet Treasure Island," they didn't stick Clueless Morgan and Polly Lobster into "Muppets from Space." After "Muppets from Space" they didn't stick Gonzo's alien family into any of their following TV specials.

So, basically, I liked Water for the 2011 movie. But his part in "Most Wanted" felt quite forced, and pointless. I would much rather have seen Rowlf, Gonzo, Bunsen, Beaker, Robin, Pepe, Rizzo, or Lewis the Clown following Fozzie and Animal to Russia instead. I'd be glad to have Walter as a background character--the eager Muppet fan--but not shoehorned into the main cast.

After all, the ability to live vicariously through a character is not automatically a good thing. People who wish they could join a bunch vampires don't necessarily like Bella Swan, after all.